For Patients & Families

Find the resources you need on brain injuries and concussion treatment

A Concussion is a Brain Injury

Sometimes referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), concussion symptoms such as headaches or dizziness can be severe. Up to 50% of people still have concussion symptoms such as headaches after 3 months. Consult AAPMR to find a physical medicine & rehabilitation brain injury specialist in your area.

Explore the featured resources below to get started and check out our Insights blog to learn about treating a concussion. You may also find helpful information at the nonprofit Concussion Alliance website. Dr. Sandel is a Board member of the organization and her book, Shaken Brain, is a textbook for the Concussion Alliance internship program.

FEATURED POSTS

Shaken Brain with Dr. Elizabeth Sandel on Recovery Now with Kim Justus

Dr. Sandel discusses brain injury medicine, a new subspecialty of medicine, and getting the best care after a concussion or more severe brain injury in the US. Kim Justus discusses her own history in regards to brain injury and her struggles to find care. She also discusses Dr. Sandel’s book, Shaken Brain, as a helpful resource for listeners.

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What Is Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy?

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) is an evidence-based approach to addressing multiple cognitive impairments caused by a traumatic brain injury. Restorative CRT strengthens cognitive abilities, and compensatory CRT provides strategies to reduce the impact of deficits.

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Parents and Sports-Related Concussions

Michelle Camicia, MSN, PhD, the mother of two student athletes, discusses the role of parents who must pay attention to their childrens’ symptoms if they play contact sports. Are these symptoms consistently understood by student athletes and coaches? She argues for more education and advocacy to address the problem of…

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Rest Assured: Quality Sleep Supports Recovery From Brain Injury

Sleep disturbances are common after brain injury and require comprehensive evaluation and management. Other sleep disorders such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness are common. Some patients with brain injuries develop sleep apnea, and screening for this disorder is important because of the risk of hypoxia and strokes that lead to additional brain injury.

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Concussion in Youth Sports

Dr. Andrew Judelson, a physiatrist and sports medicine physician at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, discusses sports-related concussion evaluation and treatment at his outpatient clinic on Cape Cod.

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